Pincushion Cactus

Pincushion cactus is a large group of small, free-flowering cacti that are easy to care for.

Densely spined, and in many types the spines are so elongated and soft that the plant appears hairy.

Stems 1 to several, more or less spherical, dark green, to 2 inches in diameter, covered with spirally arranged projections called tubercles; areoles at tubercle tips, white-woolly when young; perianth parts numerous, petal-like, in several rows; outer parts greenish or brownish; inner parts pink to reddish purple; tips sharply pointed; stamens numerous, anthers bright orange. Fruits are berries, fleshy, oblong to club-shaped, green when mature; seeds tiny, pitted, yellowish brown.

Pincushion Cactus Care

Pincushion cactus care is very simple and suitable for the beginning gardener. Cactus plants are used to dry conditions and limited fertility. The soil for a pincushion needs to be well drained and gritty. The soil needs to dry out between watering, which is best accomplished with a sandy topsoil. The cactus goes dormant in winter and needs no additional irrigation until spring.